Marsh has been placed on the injured list, and outfield reinforcements could be on the way.
Brandon Marsh entered the Phillies clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. He was on crutches, which he had acquired the night before after collapsing into the center field fence while attempting to track down Kansas City’s Samad Taylor’s long drive.
Uh-oh.
Marsh was placed on the injured list with a bruised left knee about an hour later, according to manager Rob Thomson. Weston Wilson has been promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill his roster spot.
“Probably two to three weeks,” Thomson said when asked how long he expected Marsh to be out. “Obviously, it’s a loss. He’s one of our better hitters. But the other guys have got to pick it up. And if the other guys hit like they’re supposed to hit, we shouldn’t miss a beat.”
Marsh was batting .284 with 8 homers, 44 RBI and a .832 OPS in 101 games this season.
In Sunday’s 8-4 win over the Royals in front of a sellout crowd of 43,112 at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies didn’t miss a beat. Nick Castellanos homered. Kyle Schwarber had three hits, including a homer. Bryson Stott homered. Bryce Harper had a double and a single and just missed a homer.
“It’s reassuring. “It really is,” manager Rob Thomson stated.
“Marsh has been doing such a fantastic job,” Schwarber added. It is obvious that having him on the IL is not ideal. But that’s what makes this game so appealing. For the next few days, it could be someone else. The following week, it can be someone else’s turn. We have a lot of talented players throughout the lineup. We need him back. Believe me. But we must do our part to ensure that there is no gap.”
Marsh had described himself as “very optimistic” about missing only a game or two after x-rays were negative Saturday night. However, after a battery of follow-up tests on Sunday morning, it was determined that the injury was more severe than previously thought.
Thomson stated that Johan Rojas will see the most playing time in center, though Jake Cave and Wilson are also possibilities.
Since being called up from Double-A Reading on July 14, Rojas has hit.326 and played well defensively. He had two hits on Sunday and stayed in a rundown in the eighth inning long enough for the other two runners to advance to second and third, allowing the Phillies to score an important insurance run.
He also demonstrated his inexperience by being picked off first in the fourth.
“I’m always ready to help the team win,” Rojas said through translator Diego Ettedgui. “I’m going to give 100 percent every single time I’m out there. Honestly, I wish Marsh a speedy recovery. He brings a lot to the team. He’s like a brother to me. But in the meantime I’m going to take advantage of the moment and do my best.”
He attributed his early success to hard work and the team’s support system. “I have to give a lot of credit to my hitting coaches and my teammates who give me advice on how to face certain pitchers, because they have a lot more experience than me,” he said.
Wilson, a 28-year old righthanded hitter who was signed as a minor league free agent during the offseason, was hitting .260 for the IronPigs with 25 homers, 69 RBI and an .884 OPS. He also stole 23 bases.
“He’s playing great,” Thomson said. “Hits lefthanded pitching. Can play anywhere, so he gives us all kinds of flexibility. Runs pretty well. Defends pretty well. He’s a good player.”
He was chosen in part because the Phillies will face two left-handed starters, MacKenzie Gore and Patrick Corbin, during the four-game Nationals series beginning Monday night.
When he plays in his first game, he will be making his Major League debut. He found out about his promotion on Sunday morning and arrived at Citizens Bank Park in the first inning.
More outfield reinforcements are possible. Cristian Pache is expected to start rehab on Tuesday.
Marsh’s play reminded me of Aaron Rowand slamming into the unpadded center field fence shortly after Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004. He sustained severe facial injuries and was placed on the disabled list as a result.
The play became an instant part of Phillies lore especially when Rowand explained his willingness to sacrifice his body by saying, “For who? For my teammates. For what? To win.” It was a clear contrast to Eagles running back Ricky Watters who, after short-arming a catchable pass over the middle, had explained not risking injury to make the play by asking rhetorically, “For who? For what?”
Marsh said he was well aware of Rowand’s spot in Phillies history. “The difference is, he made his catch. I didn’t make mine,” he said.
